Re: Hep c

: : I was wondering if anybody had any thoughts on sleeping with people who don't know that you are HCV positive. Is it wrong to do so?

Here is a post I made on another board regarding the same question:

"the comments I made were specifically made regarding the elements of a new relationship and disclosure.

When I made reference to a partner who may face the consequences, I was speaking about a spouse or partner's right to know. Not the infected partner, the other person.

As before, the risks are really unknown at this point. The percentages are well documented in terms of what various experts think, based on epidemiological study and pure conjecture. Sexual transmission happens a lot. Why? Because people have repeated exposures (if you catch my drift!) That's about numbers, not percentages. A lot of people have HCV but do not know it. Those same people have sex a lot, many with multiple partners multiple times. Monogamous sexual partners may have developed an immunity of sorts. This is still unclear. Monogamy as a concept remains undefined as well, by the way. For some people, particularly younger people, it means one parter at a time, or one partner every six weeks or months! Just when does a new relationship convert into a monogamous one? When does casual convert into serious? Difficult to draw these lines, I think.

As I have many times stated, the actual risks (however low) are not as important as the consideration of your partner's comfort with ANY risk at all. The bottom line, to me, is that you must have as much consideration for your partner as you do for yourself and your own needs and feelings. And that you want from them, isn't it?

We are still discovering the answers to your questions. The more important issue in the discussion is the consequence to a loving relationship that not telling will bring. Likewise, both partners going into a sexual union freely, openly, trustingly, and responsibly enhances the chances that the bond will survive a transmission should one occur.

I am speaking on this board in general terms. Many more people read this than post. My concern is that information contain all the issues so that those who are in a decisionmaking mode have as many things to consider as possible.

The reliability of condom use is well documented (95%+). Breaks occur and accidents happen, so it isn't 100%. I advise it, anyway.

Life is full of everything, except guarantees. But you can increase the odds of having a solid relationship and decrease the risk of transmission by being a loving and responsible partner to those you are involved with, on any level.

(added to for this board: YES, in my opinion it is wrong not to inform a sexual partner of the risk and allow them to decide whether they wish to accept the risk)